the ropes
plural noun
1
: the special way things are done at a particular place or in a particular activity
The veteran cop showed the rookie the ropes.
It will take a few weeks for new employees to learn the ropes.
someone who knows the ropes
2
: a fence made of rope that encloses a boxing or wrestling ring
The boxer was pushed back against the ropes.
Examples of the ropes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If Leverkusen were on the ropes at that point, the knockout blow came in the second half.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Gunther was knocked off the apron, and Uso bounced off the ropes and flew over them to hit Gunther on the floor.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
For now, Tressel is focused on learning the ropes and contributing to Ohio's leadership.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
While students in the tech club have been working with the production side of performances for years, Wipf’s class was meant to supplement that work, give students an opportunity to learn the ropes of the equipment, and provide them a consistent time to meet.
—Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
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The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Gunther was knocked off the apron, and Uso bounced off the ropes and flew over them to hit Gunther on the floor.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
For now, Tressel is focused on learning the ropes and contributing to Ohio's leadership.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
While students in the tech club have been working with the production side of performances for years, Wipf’s class was meant to supplement that work, give students an opportunity to learn the ropes of the equipment, and provide them a consistent time to meet.
—Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
Cite this Entry
“The ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20ropes. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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